The reason the locust sparrow is called a “locust sparrow” is that every time the spiritual fields’ grains are filling, they swarm out of the southern wild mountains in droves, wreaking havoc and plundering destructively. If you’re not careful in your defenses, it’s very likely that the entire spiritual field will yield nothing.

“Beasts!” Samuel Brooks was both shocked and furious at the sight, his eyes nearly splitting with rage.

Just last night.

He had led the manor guards and able-bodied tenant farmers to finally drive away a wave of locust sparrows. He thought he could have a couple of days’ peace to notify the clan cultivators to come protect the fields.

But unexpectedly, after just half a night and a morning, the locust sparrows returned, bringing an even larger force, including a terrifying leader locust sparrow.

“Beasts, how dare you.”

Fourth Uncle Henry Brooks was also fuming.

These are the rations for the clan’s cultivators—how could they let beasts ruin them?

He grabbed Samuel Brooks with one hand and lightly kicked the Firecloud Sword with his toe.

With a “whoosh,” the Firecloud Sword shot out, transforming into a streak of fiery sword light, stabbing fiercely toward the leader locust sparrow.

Chapter 9: This Rogue Cultivator Is a Bit Wild

But unexpectedly—

That leader locust sparrow was extremely alert. Sensing danger, it folded its wings, and its round, plump body suddenly dropped downward.

With a “whoosh,”

The fiery sword light swept over its head.

A thin layer of flame scorched its head feathers, leaving a patch of charred black. That once-imposing tuft of red feathers was reduced to ashes, drifting away on the wind.

“Chirp!~~~”

The leader locust sparrow, both frightened and enraged, let out a piercing screech, then flapped its wings furiously, turning into a streak of light as it fled into the distance.

The locust sparrow flock was completely startled as well. Amid a chorus of chirps, they shot up into the air, following the leader like a dark cloud passing overhead, desperately fleeing.

They escaped with astonishing speed, flying far away in just a few breaths.

“After them!”

Henry Brooks’s face was grave. Carrying Samuel Brooks, he soared through the air, lightly stepping onto the returning Firecloud Sword, and led the chase.

Meanwhile, Jason Brooks and Emily Martin continued to follow closely behind on their flying artifacts.

In this chase, they quickly covered more than ten li.

This was a forest growing along the mountain ridges.

Under the leader’s guidance, the locust sparrow flock dove down and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared into the woods.

The forest was dimly lit, and their dark brown feathers served as natural camouflage. As soon as they entered, they vanished without a trace, like stones sinking into the sea.

“What wicked creatures! They really are cunning.”

Fourth Uncle Henry Brooks was furious, his fingers forming incantation gestures as he directed the Firecloud Sword to wildly slash and shoot into the forest. Wherever the sword light passed, thick branches crashed to the ground, and many trees were cut in half, toppling with a roar, while flames rose from the burning wood.

Fortunately, it wasn’t winter, so after burning for a while, the fire died down and didn’t spread.

But Henry Brooks’s handsome face only grew colder.

He was a dignified sixth-layer Qi Refining cultivator, at the peak of the Spirit Spring Realm. His sword light was as fierce as a flood dragon stirring the sea, yet he hadn’t managed to hit even half a locust sparrow!

In the end, the group landed on a bare boulder, looking worriedly at the vast, dense forest.

“Fourth Uncle, you struck too hastily!” Samuel Brooks couldn’t help but complain. “We should have surrounded the locust sparrows first, cut off their escape, and then attacked together. At the very least, we should have taken down the leader locust sparrow—then they wouldn’t dare come back.”

“Jingfei, stop backseat driving your fourth uncle.” Henry Brooks glared at him. “You’ve been stationed at Dingfeng Manor for years, and this isn’t your first time dealing with locust sparrows. Do you have any clever ideas now? Can we use traps against them?”

“Fourth Uncle,” Samuel Brooks said with a bitter smile, “locust sparrows are always cunning and vengeful. Once they suffer a loss, they learn from it. That leader locust sparrow is already at mid-stage first rank, clearly a seasoned offender. Now that you’ve startled it again, it’ll probably be even harder to deal with in the future.”

“That does make things troublesome,” Henry Brooks frowned. “Jason and I still have to go to the market and can’t stay here guarding the spiritual fields all the time.”

Jason Brooks also said helplessly, “Then we’ll just have to send a message to Qingyu Cliff and ask other clan members to come protect the fields.”

Suddenly—

Emily Martin’s eyes spun as she said, “It’s just a few locust sparrows. Why make such a fuss?”

At these words, everyone turned to look at her.

“You’re not thinking up another one of your flashy scams, are you?” Jason Brooks eyed her suspiciously.

“Young Master Brooks, we may not have reached a deal, but business is business and friendship is friendship. How can you slander my reputation for no reason?” Emily Martin puffed out her cheeks, looking indignant.

Jason Brooks’s face reddened slightly, and he quickly cupped his hands in apology. “I did misspeak just now. I hope Miss Emily will forgive me.” “Forget it, forget it. Since you’re a rich man, I won’t hold it against you,” Emily Martin waved her hand magnanimously.

“If Miss Emily can truly solve the locust sparrow problem, I’ll owe you a favor,” Jason Brooks cupped his hands again.